Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene profiles of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from raw milk: implications for public health

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dc.contributor.authorAkan, Aynur
dc.contributor.authorYildirim, Seval Cing
dc.contributor.authorAvsar, Cumhur
dc.contributor.authorYegin, Zeynep
dc.date.accessioned2026-04-25T14:19:51Z
dc.date.available2026-04-25T14:19:51Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.departmentSinop Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractRaw milk, while nutritionally valuable, may act as a reservoir for zoonotic and antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, creating a potential pathway for foodborne urinary tract infections (FUTIs). Following ingestion, foodborne Escherichia coli may colonize the gastrointestinal tract and subsequently reach the urinary tract via the fecal-perineal-urethral route. Among foodborne pathogens, E. coli stands out as both a commensal and a versatile pathogen responsible for approximately 80% of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Increasing clinical and epidemiological evidence suggests that food-associated E. coli strains carrying uropathogenic traits can contribute to community-acquired UTIs, yet this link remains insufficiently characterized. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene profiles of E. coli isolates obtained from raw milk samples collected in rural areas of Malatya province, T & uuml;rkiye. A total of 122 raw milk samples were collected, from which 206 bacterial colonies were isolated; 115 isolates were subsequently identified as E. coli by phenotypic and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility analysis revealed complete resistance to cephalothin and notable resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, yielding a Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) index of 0.178, indicative of moderate antibiotic selection pressure. Molecular identification via 16 S rRNA sequencing confirmed 51 of 69 isolates (73.91%) as E. coli with >= 99% similarity. Screening for ten virulence genes demonstrated that Thirty-four of the 51 E. coli isolates analyzed for virulence genes (66.60%) carried three or more UPEC-associated virulence determinants, classifying them as potential uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC). These findings demonstrate that raw milk can serve not only as a route for E. coli contamination but also as a reservoir of multidrug-resistant and uropathogenic strains. The coexistence of antibiotic resistance and UPEC-associated virulence factors in foodborne isolates provides novel evidence linking the food chain to the emergence of FUTIs. Continuous microbiological surveillance, antibiotic stewardship, and strict hygiene protocols throughout the dairy production chain are essential to prevent foodborne urinary tract infections and protect public health, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to good health and well-being (SDG 3) and responsible consumption and production (SDG 12).
dc.description.sponsorshipInonu University
dc.description.sponsorshipOpen access funding provided by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TUB & Idot;TAK).
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s12223-026-01461-x
dc.identifier.issn0015-5632
dc.identifier.issn1874-9356
dc.identifier.pmid41886145
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105034508933
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ2
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-026-01461-x
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11486/8225
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001724284100001
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ2
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.relation.ispartofFolia Microbiologica
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WOS_20260420
dc.subjectAntibiotic resistance
dc.subjectPublic health
dc.subjectRaw milk
dc.subjectUrinary tract infection (UTI)
dc.subjectUropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)
dc.subjectVirulence genes
dc.titlePrevalence, antibiotic resistance, and virulence gene profiles of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from raw milk: implications for public health
dc.typeArticle

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